By: John Dunn (Managing Editor/Host)
The All Vol Call in Show
20201107
The Tennessee Volunteers were looking for a bounce-back win under the lights in Fayetteville against the 2-3 Razorbacks.
The first quarter saw the Vols maintain a 3-0 lead. Jarrett Guarantano had an efficient first frame with 4-of-5 passing for 24 yards, and a couple of big runs mixed in. As a team, Tennessee had 96 rushing yards in the first quarter to help control TOP. After holding the ball for the majority of the quarter, Tennessee closed the quarter leading by three, with Brent Cimaglia putting the only points on the board from 50-yards out.
To start the second quarter, Guarantano again scrambled, working Tennessee further into the red zone and eventually to the goal line, allowing Eric Gray to scamper into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game, giving the Vols a 10-0 lead early in the second stanza.
After Arkansas' most successful drive of the evening saw them work their way inside the Tennessee 10-yard line, the Volunteers' defense forced the Razorbacks into a field goal attempt, which was missed wide-right, leaving the score at 10-0.
With Arkansas missing the field goal, the Vols were faced with the entire field to go. Tennessee was unable to overcome the poor field position, and was forced to punt for the first time of the game. A 53-yard punt from Paxton Brooks backed the Razorbacks up into their own territory. However, Arkansas' first play of the series was a huge run for a first down, and then some.
The Razorbacks then began running seemingly every trick play in their playbook, forcing them back to a 3rd-and-long, an unsuccessful scramble from Franks saw the ball return to Tennessee, leading 10-0 midway through the second quarter.
Tennessee continued to call on Gray on the ensuing drive. However, Guarantano took a shot at Josh Palmer deep, with the Razorbacks being called for defensive holding, allowing the Tennessee drive to continue. Guarantano again looked to Palmer, this time completing the pass for 18-yards and a first down. The Vols continued to look to Gray in the running game, chewing valuable clock, leading 10-0.
Again, Tennessee looked to Cimaglia, who connected on his second field goal of the night, to grant the Vols a 13-0 less with 1:57 remaining in the first half. Arkansas elected to go with an up-tempo offense as they approached the halftime break, however, Tennessee's defense held the Razorbacks in check, forced a punt, and took a 13-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
Arkansas began to seize momentum to start the second half. They opened the third quarter with a methodical 17-play scoring drive that drew the score back to within six points at 13-7. The Razorbacks exploited Tennessee's weakness against the slant to capitalize for their first score of the night.
With momentum shifting, the Vols first drive of the second half fell stagnant after a false start penalty, forcing a punt back to the home-team Razorbacks.
Arkansas wasted no time in taking advantage of the shift in momentum, connecting on a deep pass play to set themselves up with the chance to take the lead midway through the third quarter. Feleipe Franks connected with Kern in the end zone to take a lead 14-13 with 6:35 left in the third.
To start Tennessee's second drive of the second half, the Vols elected to go to Brian Maurer. After a pair of decent runs, Tennessee was forced to punt the ball back to the Razorbacks, with the home team holding a one-point lead at 14-13. Arkansas continued to capitalize on offense, scoring their second consecutive touchdown of 50+ yards, and extending their lead to 21-13.
Arkansas completed their third quarter domination by connecting on a field goal to extend their lead to 24-13 heading into the final frame.
Maurer remained in the game for Tennessee, failing to create the spark that the Vols needed. Arkansas regained possession leading 24-13 to start the final frame. The Vols managed to contain Franks, and sack him twice on the ensuing drive, allowing the offense an opportunity to chip away at the slim Razorback lead.
On the ensuing drive, Tennessee's offense was forced into their fifth consecutive drive. However, the Tennessee defense contained the Razorbacks by getting to Franks for the fifth time in two drives, forcing a fumble, which was recovered by Arkansas, deep in Razorback territory, where they punted from, leaving the Vols with favorable field position for the first drive with Harrison Bailey under center.
In Bailey's first drive, he did what Maurer failed to do, and produced a first down. However, facing a fourth-and-four to go, Bailey's throw to Hyatt was popped up into the air, and was intercepted by an Arkansas defensive lineman, effectively sealing the game with under five minutes remaining, and the Razorbacks leading 24-13.
After regaining possession the Tennessee offense took to the air behind various check-downs from Bailey. However, the damage was done, leaving the Razorbacks with a 24-13 victory at home.